search icon
selector icon
I am interested in helping.

Volunteer
Opportunities

Like a good challenge? Helping others? Working in a collegial, team environment? Interested in health care issues? Enjoy the feeling of making someone’s day? If so, we’re looking for a volunteer like you!

PA MEDI (formerly APPRISE) is Pennsylvania’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program designed to help Pennsylvanians understand their health care options.  In Allegheny County, the PA MEDI program is operated by Wesley Family Services in partnership with the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging.

PA MEDI assists clients through one-on-one counseling sessions:

  • helping them understand their Medicare and Medicaid benefits,
  • informing them of their choices about healthcare coverage,
  • identifying other medical assistance programs for which they might be eligible, and
  • assisting with the completion of the benefit applications.

There are a variety of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer with PA MEDI, from assisting with important administrative functions to becoming a trained expert counselor.

Who Should Volunteer

Volunteers should have an interest in the healthcare system, enjoy problem solving, have good communication skills, and be reliable.  Individuals who have an active license to sell health insurance cannot volunteer with PA MEDI.

Locations

All volunteer opportunities are based out of the PA MEDI office in Wilkinsburg.  The office is accessible by many Port Authority bus lines, including the East Busway, and has free parking available.

Apply/Connect

Phone: 412-661-1438
Email:PA.MEDI@wfspa.org

All new volunteers must complete a volunteer application and training.

Time Commitment

For volunteers with an interest in an ongoing commitment, all opportunities require weekday (Monday-Friday daytime hours) availability.  Here are a few examples:

4 hours every other week

  • Help PA MEDI track and document our services by recording information about Medicare counseling sessions into the data-tracking system.

4-8 hours per week

  • All of the above opportunities are available to you, plus…
  • Assist with planning and staffing of outreach and counseling events in the community.
  • Assist Medicare counselors with client sessions – learning more about the client’s questions and situation, providing information, and conducting research to find additional information and resources.
  • Help PA MEDI increase the depth and breadth of our expertise by researching information and resources on specific topics relating to Medicare.

8+ hours per week

  • All of the above opportunities are available to you, plus…
  • Become a trained Medicare Counselor.  This involves extensive training and a commitment of at least one year to the PA MEDI program.

PA MEDI is unable to accept groups or single-day volunteers.

The Foster Grandparent Program

The Foster Grandparent program provides volunteer opportunities to low-income individuals, age 55 and older, who give supportive one-on-one attention to children who are at-risk or have special needs. Foster Grandparents serve though local organizations including Pre-K programs, Head Starts, elementary schools, and other youth-based programming. Foster Grandparents help children learn to read, provide one-on-one support and guide children at critical times in their lives. As a Foster Grandparent, you will provide comfort and love and help community youth achieve a brighter future.

Time Commitment

15 hours per week.  Eligible individuals receive a tax-free stipend, travel reimbursement, and other benefits.  All applicants are required to pass background checks.

Interested? 

Contact Rebecca Maletto-Cornell at 412 660-6841, or visit the site to learn more.

The ParentWISE Program

Offers volunteer opportunities for people who believe in the power of family. Some volunteers may choose to serve on the Advisory Committee while others may help by representing the program at resource fairs and community events. Our annual Ice Cream Blast is an opportunity for many volunteers to help us fund and friend raise at a large community event.

Time Commitment

ParentWISE has advisory committee meetings every month for 2 hours. Special events like the Ice Cream Blast entails 1 -2 days of volunteering and resource fairs and outreach events range from 2 -4 hours each time.

Interested? 

Contact Julie Cawoski at 724 217-8304

The Veterans Program

Offers opportunities to assist homeless Veterans through donations of hygiene bags, snack packs, and cold weather packs. Volunteers can also serve on the Veterans Advisory Committee or attend resource fairs and community events on behalf of the program. Volunteers can help with fundraising for the Veteran Helping Hand Fund.

Time Commitment

Veteran’s services include one-time activities like snack pack assemblies, to 2 hours for an advisory Committee meeting every other month, to covering resource fairs for 2 to 4 hours each time.

Interested?

Contact Julie Cawoski at 724 217-8304

The Families Outside Program

A series of monthly bus trips visiting PA State Correction Institutes allowing family members to visit their incarcerated loved ones. Volunteers can ride the bus to troubleshoot issues and assist verified families on the bus. Volunteers attend resource fairs and community events to enroll people in the program.

Time Commitment

Families Outside uses volunteers for resource fairs and outreach on an as needed basis for 2-4 hours. Bus Trip coordinators are involved one day a month for at least 8 to 12 hours.

Interested?

Contact Candace Chapman at 412 661-1670

The Ways to Work Program

Volunteers teach basic financial literacy, help develop budgeting skills and serve on the Loan Committee to help people with challenging credit to secure a loan to purchase a reliable car to get to work. Mechanics are also needed to review cars before they are purchased and to teach car care skills to new owners.

Time Commitment

Ways to Work Financial Literacy classes are 3 hours once time per month. Loan committee members meet monthly. Car care and car reviews by mechanics are on as needed basis ranging from 1-3 hours. Resource fairs and community events are 2-4 hours.

Interested?

Contact Gwen Porter at 412 458-6453

Who Should Volunteer?

Any position working with children requires Act 33 and ACT 34 and FBI clearances. Many volunteer positions require adults over 18 years of age. However, we have many opportunities for young people to volunteer and gain needed community service hours or fulfill intern or practicum requirements.

Locations

Allegheny and Westmoreland County

 

 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to help a senior in your community! Just an hour of your time each week or month can make an amazing difference in a senior’s life.

When you provide a ride to the doctor or the grocery store, check a senior’s home for safety issues, or just visit and share a cup of tea, you are helping a senior feel less lonely. You are helping a senior maintain their dignity, or stay comfortable living in their own home.

It’s easy to volunteer for Wesley Family Services’ In Service of Seniors and Open Your Heart to a Senior programs!  To learn more about volunteering please contact us:

Clearances. Below are links to three required clearances. Completed clearance certificates must be on file prior to being matched with a senior.

  • Free volunteer criminal check. Free for volunteers. Please complete and provide us with the certificate. PA State Police – https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
  • Child abuse. Please complete and provide us with the certificate. PA Child Welfare – https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home **Prior to logging into this site, please have ready a list of all of your addresses, including household members, since 1975.
  • Driving record. Please complete the “full history” and provide us with the certificate ($10). Penn Dot – https://apps.pa.egov.com/idr